Remembering and missing Mandela

With the passing of Nelson Mandela, the world has stopped to remember a remarkable man, and none more so than Oamaru Public Library manager Philip van Zijl.

Mr van Zijl went from serving in the South African military, fighting against Nelson Mandela’s African National Congress, to joining the ANC and actively working for the organisation at the risk of his life.

“I was prepared to put my life on the line to support what he (Mandela) stood for,” Mr van Zijl told Oamaru Mail reporter Chris Tobin yesterday.

By CHRIS TOBIN

PHOTO: CHRIS TOBIN

TRIBUTE TO NELSON: A Nelson Mandela remembrance display has been installed at the Oamaru Public Library. At left, library assistant Julia de Ruiter, who prepared the display, and Oamaru Public Library manager Philip van Zijl.